NHL Seattle

JJ and I actually had this discussion the other day in Quick Hits. I’m lazy, just going to copy paste.

The biggest issue there is that the Coyotes are not going to survive long enough for that arena to be built. They could temporarily play in the Tacoma Dome, but every report I have read say it would have a sub 14,000 capacity for hockey. Key Arena (where the Supersonics played) is also an option, but that is lucky to break 11,000 for hockey.

No, the league will want to duplicate the success it had with the Jets, I think. The Jets play in an arena of just 15,000, so I doubt the NHL would want the "grand opening" of a new team to be in anything less than that.

JJ then suggested the Sprint Center in Kansas City as an alternative, temporary destination while a new arena is built (which appears to be on the verge of happening). I replied with

With how well the Hornets worked out in OKC (which, ironically, led to Seattle losing the Sonics), I think the NHL would definitely consider the Sprint Center. It’s often cited among the best arenas in the nation despite not having a big name team, it supports 17,000, the state is a huge sports state, and there isn’t a hockey team there. AEG might be persuaded by the possibility of the Islanders or Devils (or Panthers, even, if they can’t get a long term financial fix) possibly moving there in a few years if the Yotes work out well. Or even the Yotes staying and one of those other teams moving to Seattle’s new arena

I’m sure the league would prefer a much more direct approach to whatever city lands the Coyotes, but beggars cannot be choosers. Quebec lost its team because it didn’t have a good enough arena (and the value of the Canadian dollar was extremely weak) and hasn’t made any real strides toward building a new arena, despite thinking they are next in line for a team. Hamilton is also a possibility. They have Copps which could be used as an interim arena while a new one is built (Hamilton has previously stated they would approve and help finance a state-of-the-art arena if the NHL was willing to use Copps for a few years. They don’t want to build such an arena without a tenant, though).

What other cities could even support a team at this point? I suppose Hartford is always at the back of peoples’ minds, but I doubt the NHL ever returns there. Could Milwaukee or Green Bay support a team? I suppose OKC should be considered, given the support the city has given the Thunder (and Hornets before them). Really, Kansas City looks as good a location as anywhere at this point, and JJ would be able to see the Wings once or twice a season.

So, at the moment, Seattle is a horrible destination. They would have the smallest arena in the league. If they went with the old Key Arena, their MAX capacity wouldn’t even break the current average for the Coyotes this season. The Tacoma Dome, often mentioned as a possible temporary home, would just barely have a higher capacity and that is only if the 14,000 estimates I remember reading are actually correct (considering Key Arena has 17k for basketball and 11k for hockey, I have to imagine that Key Arena with 17k for basketball will have similar numbers)

Been dreaming of getting a NHL team in Seattle for as long as I can remember and suddenly it seems closer to happening than ever before. As much as I hate the idea of taking another team from a city (RIP Sonics), I would definitely be willing to take the Coyotes because it will be another step in the right direction in correcting the NHL’s bone-headed southern expansion attempt.

Also, Mike Smith is pretty damn awesome.

Even if the team plays in the Key Arena for a year or 2, I really think attendance will be just fine. This city lost their shit over Major League Soccer when the Sounders arrived and I definitely think lots of people will be willing to give hockey a chance if they haven’t before. Also, the state has 4 WHL teams of which the fanbases would definitely lend support (Go Thunderbirds!).

So, yeah I’m ready to have a hometown hockey team to root for after all these years. I’ll always love rooting for a team that actually wins like the Wings….it’s always been a nice break from rooting for my other Seattle teams, but I like to be loyal to my region.